NIONO, Mali — Islamist militants appeared Thursday to have expanded their control in central Mali, occupying two villages after government troops abandoned their positions.

Refugees and local officials said that the Islamists, who on Monday drove Malian troops from their garrison in the town of Diabaly, on Wednesday rolled into the village of Sokolo, nine northwest of Diabaly, without a fight after government troops withdrew.

The rebels also took control of the village of Dogofry, nine miles north of Diabaly, when government troops pulled out after the fall of Diabaly.

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